Parliamentary questions

IDA Ireland

Fergus O'Dowd

334. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will respond to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to Drogheda, County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6826/19]

Local Drugs Task Forces Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

394. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a €1 million national fund will be made available through the drug policy unit in his Department; if the addiction services and local drugs task force in Drogheda will be in a position to apply for this funding stream at a time when it is providing critical work during a major drugs crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6467/19]

VAT Rate Increases

Fergus O'Dowd

62. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if the 23% increase on certain health supplements will be reviewed in view of the possible negative impact the hike will have on persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6161/19]

Inshore Fisheries

Fergus O'Dowd

12. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the main objectives of the inshore fishing sector strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5717/19]

Fishery Harbour Centres

Fergus O'Dowd

47. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his priorities for investment under the fisheries harbours infrastructure programme for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5718/19]

Tax Collection

Fergus O'Dowd

67. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the number of businesses that qualify for the deferred payments scheme; the length of time it takes to process an application for the scheme; if the Revenue Commissioners will be obliged to allow the scheme apply to all traders following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU; if the Revenue Commissioners have increased the number of employees in the deferred scheme section to deal the increased demand on this section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5881/19]

Wards of Court

Fergus O'Dowd

110. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of patients in Tullamore hospital in each of the years 2010 to 2018 that have been made wards of court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5823/19]

Wards of Court

Fergus O'Dowd

111. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Laois and Offaly for which the HSE has applied for wardship in each of the years 2010 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5824/19]

Wards of Court

Fergus O'Dowd

112. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Offaly who are wards of court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5825/19]

Wards of Court

Fergus O'Dowd

113. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of wards of court in nursing homes within the catchment area of Tullamore hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5826/19]

General Practitioner Services Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

114. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners providing a medical service to Birr community unit; if the unit has a consultant geriatrician available to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5827/19]

Brexit Preparations

Fergus O'Dowd

31. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to help businesses prepare for Brexit, particularly in the Border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4467/19]

Local Enterprise Offices Remit

Fergus O'Dowd

43. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to enhance the role of the local enterprise offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4468/19]

Enterprise Data

Fergus O'Dowd

283. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the investment made in County Louth and in the old Drogheda borough region, respectively, by agencies (details supplied) in each of the years 2008 to 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3886/19]

Climate Change Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

45. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a further call for applications for the climate action fund will be made in the future in view of the announcement of the first successful projects in late November 2018. [3179/19]

Better Energy Communities Programme

Fergus O'Dowd

50. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the schemes available for homes and business to reduce carbon emitted through buildings; and the number that have benefitted to date. [3180/19]

Community Services Programme

Fergus O'Dowd

5. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made on the review being carried out of the community services programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2990/19]

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Expenditure

Fergus O'Dowd

41. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure outturn in 2018 under the social inclusion and community activation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2989/19]

Brexit Issues

Fergus O'Dowd

162. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a reply will issue in response to the concerns of a person (details supplied) regarding cross-Border workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1240/19]

Living City Initiative

Fergus O'Dowd

205. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to implementing the living city initiative in Drogheda, County Louth to help drive residential numbers up and vacant properties down (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1088/19]

National Monuments

Fergus O'Dowd

272. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the long-term future plans for the historical St. Laurence's Gate, Drogheda; if the plan will include public access to the gate; if risk assessments have been carried out on the effects of such access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1064/19]

Coastal Erosion

Fergus O'Dowd

273. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has received an east County Meath coastal erosion report from Meath County Council; if he will be enacting the recommendations and requests in the report to address the urgent coastal erosion in the area of east County Meath to complement the works carried out to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1071/19]

School Curriculum

Fergus O'Dowd

316. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a reply will issue to correspondence in regard to the concerns of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54388/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

346. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in relation to the proposed development plan for a school (details supplied); if his officials have met with the school to discuss advancing the development plans in view of the significant population increase in the general area; if there are additional accommodation or emergency works applications with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1069/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

347. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on the implementation of the front-loading of inclusion support assistant posts, a recommendation from the National Council for Special Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1075/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Fergus O'Dowd

348. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the proposed special school for County Louth that will merge schools (details supplied); the reason for the significant delays in the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1080/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Fergus O'Dowd

349. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the major building project for a school (details supplied); the specific details in terms of target dates of commencement and completion; the details of the temporary accommodation that will be provided during the construction phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1081/19]

Legal Aid Service Expenditure

Fergus O'Dowd

449. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent of the funding provided either directly or indirectly through agencies controlled by his Department for the provision of advocacy services during 2018; the proposed expenditure figures for 2019; the number of advocacy cases dealt with in 2018 by each of the advocacy organisations so funded; and the number of staff and volunteers in each advocacy organisation in December 2018. [1197/19]

IDA Ireland Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

508. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will liaise with IDA Ireland to ensure that Drogheda is front and fore on its website in the Border area, including setting up an invest in Drogheda section which will highlight the many positive aspects in setting up business in Drogheda (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1090/19]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

696. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand services in Louth County Hospital, Dundalk in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1070/19]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

698. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed 100-bed unit at the St. Mary's Hospital site, Dublin Road, Drogheda, County Louth; if specific commencement dates have been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1074/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Fergus O'Dowd

699. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for cataract procedures on national public waiting lists for 2017 and 2018; the average waiting time to undergo required cataract procedures; his plans to further reduce the waiting times in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1077/19]

Medicinal Products Availability

Fergus O'Dowd

700. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the Versatis pain relief plasters under the long-term illness scheme; his further plans to reintroduce the plasters on the scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1078/19]

Drugs Payment Scheme

Fergus O'Dowd

701. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to access for all type 1 diabetes patients to the FreeStyle Libre device under the reimbursement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1082/19]

Ambulance Service Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

702. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the new ambulance base announced in Project Ireland 2040 for Ardee, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1086/19]

Hospitals Data

Fergus O'Dowd

713. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals for which name changes have been proposed by the HSE; the number of name changes that subsequently took place; the old hospital names and the new alternative names in each case; the public consultation that took place regarding such name changes; the outcome of such consultation; the cost per hospital for each such name change; the person or body that makes the final decision to change or not change the name of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1155/19]

Departmental Agencies Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

717. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the extent of the funding provided either directly or indirectly through agencies controlled by his Department for the provision of advocacy services during 2018; the proposed expenditure figures for 2019; the number of advocacy cases dealt with in 2018 by each of the advocacy organisations so funded; and the number of staff and volunteers in each advocacy organisation in December 2018 [1195/19]

Departmental Agencies Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

994. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent of the funding provided either directly or indirectly through agencies controlled by her Department for the provision of advocacy services during 2018; the proposed expenditure figures for 2019; the number of advocacy cases dealt with in 2018 by each of the advocacy organisations so funded; and the number of staff and volunteers in each advocacy organisation in December 2018. [1196/19]

Illness Benefit Eligibility

Fergus O'Dowd

1052. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the alternate options available to persons if they do not have the required 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year but do have them in the current tax year will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54170/18]

Departmental Agencies Data

Fergus O'Dowd

1092. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent of the funding provided either directly or indirectly through agencies controlled by her Department for the provision of advocacy services during 2018; the proposed expenditure figures for 2019; the number of advocacy cases dealt with in 2018 by each of the advocacy organisations so funded; and the number of staff and volunteers in each advocacy organisation in December 2018. [1198/19]

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Fergus O'Dowd

1150. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the 2018 review of income eligibility levels for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1076/19]

Legislative Process

Fergus O'Dowd

1162. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a reply will issue regarding the concerns of a person (details supplied) in relation to the Local Government (Water Pollution)(Amendment) Bill 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1199/19]

Electric Vehicles

Fergus O'Dowd

89. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to address range anxiety and to develop a network of electric vehicle chargers nationwide that would support 500,000 electric vehicles. [53197/18]

Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Fergus O'Dowd

94. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if another call for applications for the climate action fund will be made in the future further to the announcement of the first successful projects in late November 2018. [53198/18]

Brexit Issues

Fergus O'Dowd

157. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding deferred payments on VAT and customs duty will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53363/18]

Hospital Services

Fergus O'Dowd

429. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the agreement between his Department and the RCSI hospital group relating to changing the name of a hospital such as the case with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53226/18]

Drug Treatment Programmes Data

Fergus O'Dowd

433. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the exact number of needles issued under the pharmacy needle exchange programme in all participating pharmacy outlets in County Louth for the previous eight quarters, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53246/18]

Drug Treatment Programmes Data

Fergus O'Dowd

434. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when methadone service users in County Louth will be able to access methadone prescriptions in the county as opposed to travelling to County Meath for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53247/18]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Fergus O'Dowd

519. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to include boiler replacements under the SEAI standard grants and the SEAI warmer home schemes. [53106/18]

Registration of Births

Fergus O'Dowd

207. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on concerns raised by a person (details supplied) on the prescribed process regarding the registration of a newborn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52549/18]